I feel like the numbers 11 and 19 botched many NASCAR fantasy lineups last weekend, which shows just how important it is to have a good car and solid pit stops. But 5th Down Fantasy’s Bold Pick William Byron made up for all the tears by winning his second race of the season. He’s on fire, and I don’t totally rule him out for yet another win on Sunday!
Chase Elliott started off unstoppable, leading the first 185 laps, but William Byron took over after a pit and dominated 212 laps through to the end. Chase Elliott, also a breaker of NASCAR fantasy teams at Richmond, ended up finishing 10th.
This week we head to Bristol dirt on Easter night. Last year was the first dirt run at this tiny track, so there’s no telling how the heck these drivers are going to do. I admit that I had a helluva time coming up with the best drivers up for the task. But fear not: I have an idea of how your favorite NASCAR fantasy drivers will fare on this super-fun and freaky track, so read on to discover who will (and won’t) handle the heat as we hit Bristol dirt round two.
Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Joey Logano
He won it last year and I have a strong suspicion he’ll win it again. Joey Logano is heating up at the right time. Though he usually has his ticket to the round of 16 punched by now, this east coast swing seems to agree with him. He’s my top pick for a Bristol dirt repeat.
Bristol Dirt Experience: Won last year’s race, points in both stages with a stage two win, 61 laps led
Martin Truex Jr.
Last year I put Martin Truex Jr. in the bonkers category due to his sheer inexperience at dirt track racing. Then he went and led the most laps on Bristol dirt last year, won the first stage, came in fourth for stage two, and then…well, he finished 19th. But still, after a just-off-pit-road flat tire last week ruined his great run at Martinsville, he’s ready to move on and up for a possible win on Easter Sunday.
Bristol Dirt Experience: FInished 19th last year, points in both stages with a stage one win, 126 laps led
Daniel Suaréz
It’s been coming all season, and this might just be the place for Daniel Suaréz to break out. He ran exceptionally well here last year, and his car has only improved since then. Give this guy a second thought when you set your NASCAR fantasy lineup for Sunday night.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 5th place finish, points in both stages, 58 laps led
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell wrecked last year and ended up with a lousy finish. But, and I do stress but, he has plenty of experience on the dirt—he was the 2013 National Midget Champion, ran the Gateway Dirt Nationals in 2014, won the Chili Bowl three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019), and is a 2015 Eldora Midsummer Classic winner. The No. 20 is a smart NASCAR fantasy pick—as long as he can stay on the track.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 34th place finish (accident), zero stage points, zero laps led
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
We all know how Ricky Stenhouse runs on the superspeedways, but it seems like he has some talent on the dirt as well. He started his Sprint car career in 2003 by winning the Dirt Winged Sprint Car Rookie of the Year award, and nabbed the 2006 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Driver Poll Wild Card in both the 360 and 410 winged sprint car divisions. Not sure if he’ll outrun everyone else again this year, but I think you’ll see more of what he put out last year at Bristol.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 2nd place finish, points in both stages, zero laps led
Tyler Reddick
Tyler Reddick ran mini sprints, midgets, dirt late models, and Sprint cars when he was but a wee lad. He’s still the youngest driver to compete for the pole at Eldora Speedway and the youngest to win the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. This has been a pretty sweet season so far for the No. 8, and it makes me believe he’s a great NASCAR expert pick for Bristol.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 7th place finish, points in stage two, zero laps led
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Kurt Busch
I’ll be honest: the bonkers picks were the toughest. While there’s no reason why Kurt Busch can’t come up big on the Bristol dirt, I think that he has enough competition to keep him out of victory lane.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 16th place finish, zero stage points, zero laps led
Brad Keselowski
I guess it’s easy to throw this guy under the bus right now. Seems Brad Keselowski is having a heck of a season so far. I can’t see him taking a victory lap when the dirt settles Sunday night.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 11th place finish, zero stage points, zero laps led
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick won’t finish the season without a win, but it’s not gonna come this week. Keep him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup at Bristol.
Bristol Dirt Experience: 15th place finish, zero stage points, zero laps led
